Kmart Chat Thread!

Quote from tntsavings : I pm'ed you

My comments are in red below:

Quote from jteef1 : My commissary is actually a lot bigger than any of the grocery stores here. And it has a bakery, butcher, sushi bar, and stuff. Yeah they look that way from the pics! Thanks for sharing that. One of the pics popped out at me though. It was a pic of a shelf of food and cleaning supplies. The stores here wouldn't be able to set a shelf up like that. You can't have food and chemicals on the same shelf. The city inspector would tell them to split them completly up. Maybe it was just a temporary thing for the bulk sale deal?? Or maybe things vary on that from state to state. Some people that are weird about that stuff might freak out if they saw that. There are some nice pictures of commissaries HERE [commissaries.com] Yes there are!! BUT now I STILL want to go see one. Maybe I will have to try to visit one of my sisters or brothers soon. Can they bring me in with them? (They are active Military) I just want to look around. If I can't buy anything or my sibling can't buy anything for me I'm ok with that. My commissary closes at 7 pm though. They are not a place for late night shopping. Oh wow that would suck. I do 90% of my shopping after 7:00pm. BUT I suppose those military people got to get to sleep early I don't even usually eat supper until at least 7pm or even later than that They actually do have sales - LOTS of them. And all kinds of promotions. They just can't sell things for less than they pay for them. I wish ALL grocery stores were like that. I wanna pay cost for my stuff too I almost went into the military along with ALL my siblings. Last minute I decided to go to Nursing school at Job Corp. Funny thing is I went to nursing school and then on to technical college (for Correction Science) and neither one of those ended up being my final carer path. But I guess you live and learn. I enjoy running my own businesses so it all worked out for the best. I think my sister at 49 is about to retire after 20 years in the Air Force. She is sitting pretty nice! My other sister was one that didn't go into the military and is working in a deli in a grocery store.Broke as ever living with one of her kids. She should have followed her other siblings. AAFES can make a profit because they are run differently. They aren't given the budget from appropriated funds. But the profit they make goes into the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Programs. They sell snack stuff - Candy, crackers, soups - Kind of like a regular Target - but not fresh food or a lot of food. Are they on the Military base too I don't live on base. I live about 20 minutes from my closest base. Have you ever lived on the base? And yes - the bases are like small cities. My base has about everything - A movie theater, a bowling alley, a motel, a Shoppette (military gas station - convenience store), swimming pools, a recreation center, a library, banks, burger king, taco bell, a lake and campground, golf course, --- just about everything you can think of. (It doesn't have a Kmart though....)So are all those businesses run by military personnel? Do you get everything else at cost? Haircuts, gas etc?

Now I wanna go into the military. I think it would be cool to live on the base and be your own community. But I'm sure as everything else some people don't like it. So why do some people live on base and some don't. Just personal choice? And is there anyone who is required to live on base? And wouldn't it be cheaper to live on base?

I thought about starting a private community where we all have to barter for our stuff. NO profits can be made. We would need someone who can cut hair, someone who could sew, someone who can fix stuff etc etc. So we all work together to survive. Kinda like the Amish but not THAT far. I need my computer and stuff. LOL Does anyone here want to join?

I'm interested tonight to watch that new show on the Opera channel. It's a town that worked together to make a million dollars!

I found this interesting in that article:

Commissaries under fire
From the 1950s through the 1980s,
investigations, studies and outright attacks
upon the commissaries were plentiful and
arrived with alarming regularity. Usually,
attacks followed congressional elections every
two years, as freshman senators and congressmen
searched for ways to cut the federal budget.
Commissaries seemed like a “no brainer,” since a lot
of people couldn’t understand why the military was
selling groceries to itself.

I kinda have to agree with it. No offense to anyone in the military (I have 3 family members in the military) but why not save the money and use a regular grocery store? BUT again that is just MY opinion. BUT I suppose if I had gone into the military I would be loving the commisaries. Especially paying wholesale prices for my stuff. I guess we are all the dumb ones and didn't think of doing that for ourselves. I guess I'm probably just jealous though. BUT who wouldn't LOVE paying wholesale?

It goes on to say this:

Simple logic prompted this reassessment: The existing system seemed extravagant,with far more infrastructure than
necessary to run 438 grocery stores.Theoretically, one headquarters and one set of regions would immediately reduce the people and facilities needed,cutting taxpayer costs while simultaneously retaining the benefit In such an atmosphere,commissaries became
easy targets for budget cutters who had little or no clue as to exactly what it is that
commissaries do or how they function. To those people, what would be a more logical way to save money than by turning over the stateside operation of the commissaries to private enterprise? Twice – in the late 1940s and again in the early 1980s – they nearly succeeded.

Quote from tracysbeans : I found this interesting in that article: Commissaries under fire From the 1950s through the 1980s, investigations, studies and outright attacks upon the commissaries were plentiful and arrived with alarming regularity. Usually, attacks followed congressional elections every two years, as freshman senators and congressmen searched for ways to cut the federal budget. Commissaries seemed like a “no brainer,” since a lot of people couldn’t understand why the military was selling groceries to itself. I kinda have to agree with it. No offense to anyone in the military (I have 3 family members in the military) but why not save the money and use a regular grocery store? BUT again that is just MY opinion. BUT I suppose if I had gone into the military I would be loving the commisaries. Especially paying wholesale prices for my stuff. I guess we are all the dumb ones and didn't think of doing that for ourselves. I guess I'm probably just jealous though. BUT who wouldn't LOVE paying wholesale?

I don't think it is quite that easy. The commissary was created for a reason. When someone joins the military - the military is generally responsible for making sure the person can live. They have to have food, shelter, clothing, etc.

The military pays pretty low wages - comparably. They make up for PART of that with housing, medical care, retirement benefits, etc.

The commissary is one "benefit" that the military gets. But it isn't just a way to "reward" people. It is a way to provide the military with food at a cheaper cost than any other method. This is especially important in areas where food costs are very high. They promote that they save a family about 30% on the cost of groceries.

The studies they have done have shown that it would be more costly to shut down the commissaries - because they would have to raise the amount of pay / allowances they give to the military to enable them to afford to buy food "on the market" (i.e. at private grocery stores). They can't really just take away that benefit - without making up for it in $$$. Thus far, they have found it is actually cheaper to run their own commissaries than it would be to privatize them, or shut them down and increase everyone's paychecks or allowances to enable them to buy their food on the market.

Quote from jteef1 : I don't think it is quite that easy. The commissary was created for a reason. When someone joins the military - the military is generally responsible for making sure the person can live. They have to have food, shelter, clothing, etc. The military pays pretty low wages - comparably. They make up for PART of that with housing, medical care, retirement benefits, etc. The commissary is one "benefit" that the military gets. But it isn't just a way to "reward" people. It is a way to provide the military with food at a cheaper cost than any other method. This is especially important in areas where food costs are very high. They promote that they save a family about 30% on the cost of groceries. The studies they have done have shown that it would be more costly to shut down the commissaries - because they would have to raise the amount of pay / allowances they give to the military to enable them to afford to buy food "on the market" (i.e. at private grocery stores). They can't really just take away that benefit - without making up for it in $$$. Thus far, they have found it is actually cheaper to run their own commissaries than it would be to privatize them, or shut them down and increase everyone's paychecks or allowances to enable them to buy their food on the market.

I see. Thanks for showing me the other side to this. I know there are alot of risks to even joining the military as in having to go to war etc. I don't think some people would touch it with a ten foot pole unless they were forced to. I'm glad there are many people who are willing to join.

When I went to Job Corp it was pretty much the same. The provided my living quarters and meals etc. I really liked it. I know it was always in jeopardy of being closed down. Not sure if they are still in existance now.

Good stuff you showed me. I have a LOT more to read as I can make time. I was just reading about the 83 year old guy who works at the commisary who has racked up 4,000 hours of sick leave.

I have a question I was hoping someone can answer. If you use a Kmart store coupon on a spend $30 get $10 deal, does the original shelf price still count towards your $30? I'm guessing so since the free coupons and full price of BOGO 50% off still count towards your total, but I just wanted to ask before I plan my transaction tomorrow.

Quote from alc6907 : I have a question I was hoping someone can answer. If you use a Kmart store coupon on a spend $30 get $10 deal, does the original shelf price still count towards your $30? I'm guessing so since the free coupons and full price of BOGO 50% off still count towards your total, but I just wanted to ask before I plan my transaction tomorrow.

Yes the shelf price still counts. BUT you have to get to EXACTLY $30 or over. Not one cent less. I wish they did the deals like CVS where you could be a few pennies short. (or 98% of the $30 like you can at CVS) I guess we can't have it ALL though LOL

Quote from tracysbeans : Yes the shelf price still counts. BUT you have to get to EXACTLY $30 or over. Not one cent less. I wish they did the deals like CVS where you could be a few pennies short. (or 98% of the $30 like you can at CVS) I guess we can't have it ALL though LOL

Right on. Thanks for the response. I plan on doing this then.

5 Cottonelle refill wipes 84 ct. $21.95 ($4.39 each)
3 Cottonelle wipes tub 42 ct. $8.07 ($2.69 each)
=$30.02

-$5 $1 off Cottonelle refill wipes 84 ct. Kmart q (limit 5)
-$4 4 .50/2 Cottonelle wipes (doubled)
-$10 P&G CRT
-$5 Catalina
-$3 Catalina
=$3.02

Not too bad and should hopefully get back the $10 KC CRT and $3 Catalina on the wipes. I'll pick up 2 Kool-Aid packets as fillers for the Catalina's.

Quote from alc6907 : . I'll pick up 2 Kool-Aid packets as fillers for the Catalina's.

If you get the Hawaain Punch freebie for next week that could be one of your fillers.

Quote from alc6907 : and $3 Catalina on the wipes. .

Do you have the info on this catalina?

Quote from tracysbeans : If you get the Hawaain Punch freebie for next week that could be one of your fillers. Do you have the info on this catalina?

Thanks, I forgot about that. Only 1 packet then. From what I read on the Catalina it is $2 when you buy 2 wipes, $3 when you buy 3. They are also doing the same thing for the toilet paper. It looks like they're separate offers, but I can't say for sure. I'm just hoping Kmart is participating and the wipes are part of the spend $30 get $10 KC CRT.

The Cottonelle q's expire tomorrow though so unfortunately the deal is only valid tomorrow. There is $1/2 wipes q that was regional that could make the wipes free after doubles with $.98 to spend on something else.

Also, while I was at Kmart today I noticed they had Softsoap Pampered Hands Plum on clearance for $1.50. Free after doubles with $1 IP or $.50 without doubles. I wish I had my q's with me today, but I'm going back tomorrow anyway.

Quote from alc6907 : Thanks, I forgot about that. Only 1 packet then. From what I read on the Catalina it is $2 when you buy 2 wipes, $3 when you buy 3. They are also doing the same thing for the toilet paper. It looks like they're separate offers, but I can't say for sure. I'm just hoping Kmart is participating and the wipes are part of the spend $30 get $10 KC CRT. Also, while I was at Kmart today I noticed they had Softsoap Pampered Hands Plum on clearance for $1.50. Free after doubles with $1 IP or $.50 without doubles. I wish I had my q's with me today, but I'm going back tomorrow anyway.

Thanks! I would think the Cottonelle wipes would part of the spend $30 get $20 KC deal. They have worked in the past on any KC deals. I just hope the catalina works with it too!

If you have enough qs to get to $20 on the Softsoap you will get a $5 crt starting tomorrow!

Did two transactions today after having my card checked for points. Started with approx. 16,000 pts.

T1:

2 CG Mascara @ 8.99 ea.
2 Olay cleansing cloths @ 4.99 ea.
2 Venus razors @ 10.49 ea.
2 Beach towels @ 5.99 ea.
1 Sugar Daddy
1 Oreo

Paid with B1G1 CG mq, $1/1 olay mq, B1G1 venus mq, and chose to use $15.00 from pts to roll into the $10 P&G, $5 cat, and $3 cat all of which were received along with having the $5 for spending $50 instantly deducted instead of receiving the gift card. My receipt shows 5,000 pts earned from the towels showing a current points balance of 7,357.

T2:

1 CG eye shadow @ 1.64
1 Olay cleanser @ 4.69
1 Venus razor @ 10.29
1 Venus cartridge @ 15.99
2 Beach towels @ 5.99
1 Sugar Daddy
1 Oreo
3 M&M snack mixes @ 2.50 ea.
2 frozen popsicles @ 1.00 ea.

Paid with $1/1 CG mq, B1G1 venus mq, and (3) $1/1 M&M mq and received the $10 P&G and a $5 cat. I think I was short an eye shadow for the $3 cat. This time the $5 gc wys $50 was issued instead of being autodeducted and I did not receive the points for the towels.

So on Monday I bought 4 Banana Boat sunscreens because I had coupons that expired that day. They are bogo 1/2 off in the monthly book and you get a $2 instant savings wyb2. I bought 4. I also got 5000 bonus points but didn't know why. I finally saw signage for why tonight! There's a deal for spend $20 in Energizer personal care products, get 5000 bonus points through June 30. Energizer brands include Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic, Skintimate, Schick, etc. There were $1/1 hangtags on the sunscreens today! I'm thinking about doing this transaction tomorrow:

1 banana boat kids $10.49
1 banana boat sport $9.99
- bogo 1/2 off $5
- $1/1 doubled x2 (I'll add in enough stuff to get up to $25)
- $2 instant savings
- $10 P&G CRT
Total -$0.52 (toward whatever I add to get to $25)

get 5000 points

So will the bogo 1/2 off count toward the $25? What about the $2 instant? How does that work?

Quote from mandykinz : Did two transactions today after having my card checked for points. Started with approx. 16,000 pts. T1: 2 CG Mascara @ 8.99 ea. 2 Olay cleansing cloths @ 4.99 ea. 2 Venus razors @ 10.49 ea. 2 Beach towels @ 5.99 ea. 1 Sugar Daddy 1 Oreo Paid with B1G1 CG mq, $1/1 olay mq, B1G1 venus mq, and chose to use $15.00 from pts to roll into the $10 P&G, $5 cat, and $3 cat all of which were received along with having the $5 for spending $50 instantly deducted instead of receiving the gift card. My receipt shows 5,000 pts earned from the towels showing a current points balance of 7,357. T2: 1 CG eye shadow @ 1.64 1 Olay cleanser @ 4.69 1 Venus razor @ 10.29 1 Venus cartridge @ 15.99 2 Beach towels @ 5.99 1 Sugar Daddy 1 Oreo 3 M&M snack mixes @ 2.50 ea. 2 frozen popsicles @ 1.00 ea. Paid with $1/1 CG mq, B1G1 venus mq, and (3) $1/1 M&M mq and received the $10 P&G and a $5 cat. I think I was short an eye shadow for the $3 cat. This time the $5 gc wys $50 was issued instead of being autodeducted and I did not receive the points for the towels.

You still should have got 5,000 points for the towels.
You might want to ask them to credit those (if you have plenty of time with nothing better to do.....)
I THINK you should have received the $5 cat with just one eye shadow - unless the reason we were receiving $5 and $3 was because we were buying 2 of everything.